In what feels like ages ago, our local station played 2 Australian creature features back to back (and no ads being the public broadcaster!) and I thought they were worth a mention.
The Reef
Released in 2010, friends on a boat which of course capsizes and they need to swim to the nearest island. This has obvious similarities to Open Water but I connected more to the characters in this one. I thought the effects were quite good, it was creepy, it really looked like the actors were swimming with sharks, and put yourself in the water with them. Living in a country that mostly populates the coast, I can't help but think of sharks when swimming. Particularly as there have been a few deaths in the last 3 year and we were named as one of two international hot spots for shark attacks (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-12/wa-identified-as-one-of-two-shark-hotspots/4514138). Obligatory Jaws reference: I also have a black dog, though not named Pippit.
Black Water
Released in 2007, and based on a true story: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/12/23/1071941726873.html
This time the terror is crocodilian. An older sister, her husband and the younger sister go on a fishing trip in Northern Australia, and a crocodile capsizes their dinghy and kills the guide. The rest then have to survive the stalking crocodile.
I liked this film but didn't feel as much for the characters, I'm not sure if the threat just didn't feel as real to me, maybe because I don't have such a greater fear of crocodiles or the scares in The Reef just felt more real. I thought the ending was just a bit unbelievable too. But hey what do I know about crocodiles!? For another Australian crocodile movie but with an American lead actor, check out Rogue (2007).
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